Magnificent Moose

1. Magnificent Moose By: Dillon and Whitley

2. Characteristics Moose are the largest of all the deer species. Males are immediately recognizable by their huge antlers, which can spread up to 6 ¾ feet wide. A flap of skin known as a bell sways beneath each moose’s throat. Moose have hooves that act as snow shoes to support the heavy animals in soft snow, and also in other seasons including muddy or marshy ground. They run up to 35 miles an hour over short distances, and trot steadily at 20 miles an hour. Females give birth to one or two calves in the spring.

3. Diet and Habitat In the winter moose eat shrubs and pinecones, but they also scrape snow with their large hooves to clear areas for grazing on mosses and lichens. In summer, food is far more plentiful in the northern regions of North America, Europe, and Asia. Moose are often seen in lakes, rivers, or wetlands feeding on aquatic plants both at and below the surface. Moose are at home in the water and despite their staggering bulk, are good swimmers. They can paddle several miles and dive as deep as 18 feet while staying under for up to 30 seconds at a time.

4. Behavior -Courtship Behavior- Males, called bulls, bellow loudly to attract mates each September and October. The usually solitary bulls may come together at this time to battle with their antlers for mating supremacy. After mating, the two sexes go their separate ways until the following year. Though they may occasionally feed in the same grounds, they tend to ignore each other. Bulls also put out scents to attract mates too. -Social Behavior- Moose have very strong social behavior. Female moose will protect and care for young until the mating season after they are born. Moose talk to each other in a series of calls. They have a call that the calves use to tell their mothers they are lost or in trouble. Females have a call to locate their young. Bulls have a call for mating season to locate females, and also to lure the cows to the bulls. -Communication Behavior- Moose communicate very strongly in courtship behavior and pheromones. The males more than females in both by showing their antlers and putting out scents. Females do not have very much communication. They just talk to the males in mating seasons. They have some scent, but just for mating purposes.

5. Behavior -Cyclic Behavior- Moose are diurnal animals. Most of the time they rotate on a circadian rhythm. They travel in the morning, eat all day, go to get a drink of water in the afternoon, head back to the bedding area, and sleep all night. Most of the time in the summer and fall if they have access to a lake that is where they get most of their food. -Territorial Behavior- Moose have very big territories. Three bull moose can have a territory of about 200 to 300 acres. Three cow moose can have a territory of about 50 to 150 acres. Moose are not normally aggressive, however, they can be very aggressive when hungry, tired or harassed by people, dogs, and traffic. During the mating season bull moose are often more aggressive toward people. Mothers with young calves are very protective and will attack humans. You can identify when a moose might attack if the long hairs on it’s hump are raised and it’s ears laid back. A moose may also lick it’s lips when ready to attack.